The Top Places to Visit Near Whangarei
Base yourself in Whangarei and enjoy an array of day trips to Northland‘s major highlights. White-sand beaches, kauri forests, renowned scuba diving sites and more await – all under an hour’s drive of Whangarei. Whether you seek self-drive day trips from Whangarei or want to know the day tours from Whangarei, we’ll cover some of the best in this guide to the top day trips from Whangarei.
The Best Day Tours from Whangarei
Update: There are no longer any day tours operating in Whangarei that take you beyond the city. Nevertheless, there are two fantastic options for sightseeing within Whangarei, as listed below.
Guided Day Tours from Whangarei
- Cultural tour of Whangarei with Tu Tika Tours
- Whangarei sightseeing tour with Whangarei Tours
Tutukaka
The Best Day Trip from Whangarei for Couples
Travel time by car: 30 minutes one way.
From stunning walks on land to world-class diving offshore, Tutukaka will certainly keep you busy for the whole day. Most famously, the small village is the launch point for snorkelling, kayaking and diving excursions to the Poor Knights Islands. You’ll also find some stunning white-sand beaches at Whale Bay and Matapouri Bay where it is possible to have surf lessons and discover some walking trails.
For more details on the experiences listed above, check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Tutukaka.
Whangarei Heads
The Best Day Trip from Whangarei for Families
Travel time by car: 30-40 minutes one way.
Glistening bays to rugged mountains, Whangarei Heads offers plenty to fill up an amazing day trip from Whangarei. A highlight along the Whangarei Heads Road is the hike up Mt Manaia taking approximately two hours to return. If beaches are more your thing, don’t miss the 5 km (3 mi) stretch of white sand that is Ocean Beach. Another popular option, if you get there early, is the Te Whara Track day hike on the coastal paradise of Bream Head.
Check out the 15 Best Things to Do at Whangarei Heads for more ideas on activities. We also list an itinerary of the area in The Budget & Backpacking Guide to Whangarei.
Waipu
The Best Day Trip from Whangarei for Budget Travellers
Travel time by car: 30 minutes one way.
Yes, more brilliant beaches await at Waipu in the form of Ruakaka Beach, Langs Beach, Waipu Cove and Uretiti Beach. What adds something different to this day trip from Whangarei is exploring the glowworm-filled Waipu Caves and taking a dip in the cool waters of Piroa Falls.
Take a look at the 10 Best Things to Do in Waipu & Bream Bay for more ideas on what to do.
Paihia and the Bay of Islands
The Best Day Trip from Whangarei for Foodies
Travel time by car: 1 hour one way.
Just an hour north of Whangarei, the Bay of Islands is home to significant historical sites and a wealth of water adventures. Cruise the bay with 144 islands on a spectacular R. Tucker Thompson tall ship with lunch included or learn about how New Zealand became a nation at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds (more info on Viator or Klook).
Explore some of the many activities in the area using our 30 Best Things to Do in the Bay of Islands.
Dargaville
The Best Day Trip from Whangarei for Luxury Travellers
Travel time by car: 45 minutes one way.
Head over to the west coast to experience another side of the Northland region; one that’s famous for harbouring the largest trees in New Zealand. Learn about the significance of the almighty kauri tree at The Kauri Museum. Travel another 20 minutes up north and you’ll get an excellent example of these forest giants at the Trounson Kauri Park.
For more activities, check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Dargaville.
More About Whangarei Day Trips
That’s it for the best day trips from Whangarei. For more day trips, you might like to hit the following destinations:
- 30 Best Things to Do in Whangarei
- 10 Best Things to Do in Mangonui & Doubtless Bay
- 15 Best Things to Do in Kerikeri
- 10 Best Things to Do in Mangawhai
- 10 Best Things to Do in Opononi & Omapere
Finally, for more trip-planning advice, head over to The Complete Guide to Whangarei.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
About The Author
Laura S.
This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.